SFT Surf Foil World Tour Launches First-Ever Downwind Parawing World Cup in Leucate, France
Leucate, France – The SFT Surf Foil World Tour (SFT) will debut the SFT Downwind Parawing World Cup Leucate 2026 from April 22–26, 2026, marking the first official Downwind Parawing World Cup in the history of foiling watersports. The event will take place in partnership with the iconic Mondial du Vent and alongside a stop of the GWA Wingfoil World Tour, positioning Leucate as a global center for elite foil racing, parawing competition, and performance foiling innovation.
This milestone event represents a major expansion of the SFT competitive calendar and the continued evolution of hydrofoil racing disciplines.
Downwind Parawing World Cup: A New Era in Foil Racing
Following the success of the SFT E-Foil World Cup and Pump Foil competitions in Leucate in 2025, SFT returns with the rapidly emerging discipline of Downwind Parawing. The format combines wind-powered parawing starts with extended downwind hydrofoil glides, demanding advanced wind reading, endurance, tactical race strategy, and high-performance foil control.
Leucate’s renowned Tramontane winds and open Mediterranean downwind conditions provide an ideal race arena for long reaches, technical transitions, and high-speed foiling.
Athletes will compete for an €8,000 prize purse, elevating the competitive stakes for this historic first edition.
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Elite International Rider Lineup
The men’s Downwind Parawing division features a strong international field, including:
- Thomas Goyard (FRA) – Olympic-level wind athlete
- Balz Müller (SUI) – Progressive Swiss foiler
- Bastien Escofet (FRA)
- Alan Fedit (FRA)
- Ziga Horvat (SLO)
- Benjamin May (GER)
- Michael Näf (SUI)
- Luca Vuillermet (USA)
The women’s division is headlined by:
- Nia Suardiaz (ESP) – One of the most dominant athletes in modern foiling
- Viola Lippitsch (AUT)
- Sofia Marchetti (ITA)
They are joined by a deep French and European field including Kylie Belloeuvre, Orane Ceris, Manon Dupe, Mae Haas, and Helene Simonnet.
The Downwind Parawing format highlights endurance foiling, wind efficiency, and strategic line selection, underscoring the rapid growth of women’s foiling at the international level.
Mondial du Vent: Global Foiling Festival
Beyond world-class competition, Mondial du Vent Leucate delivers a week-long watersports festival featuring:
- Live music and beach entertainment
- Youth programs and public demos
- Foil equipment exhibitions and brand activations
- Family-friendly coastal experiences
The co-location with the GWA Wingfoil World Tour creates one of Europe’s most significant foil sports events, bringing together parawing, wingfoiling, e-foiling, and pump foiling under one global platform.
SFT Expands Global Foiling Championship Platform
By introducing the Downwind Parawing World Cup and integrating it into a major international festival, the SFT Surf Foil World Tour strengthens its position as the global championship circuit for foil watersports, crowning world champions across multiple disciplines.
📅 Dates: April 22–26, 2026
📍 Location: Leucate, France
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